Automatic fireproof door, &amp;c.



No. 698,785. Patented Apr. 29,1902.

C. A. BARBER.

AuToMATIc FmEPRooF Doon, am.

(Application med June'zs, 1901.;

' (No Model.)

3-Sheets--Sheet I.

f w: uonms PUERsLmPnoTo-LITHU.. wAsHmmon. n. c:

Patented Apr. 29,1902. c. A. BARBER. AUTOMATIC FIBEPRUF DOOR, &c.

(Applioation filed June 29,r T901.)

3 sheets-subst 2.v

(No Modal.)

M/zeJses. I y@ M me noals PErEns ou.. Mofo-LMA. wAsmuu'mn. n. c.

' No. 999,795. 'Ptenfed Apr. 29, |992. c. A. BARBER.

A UTMATIG FIREPROF DOOR, &c.

(Applica-tion med June 29, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

h//f/zesses UNITED STATES PATE-NT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BARBER, OF MONTREAL, CANADA.

AUTOMATIC FIREPROOF DOOR, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part-'of Letters Patent No. 698,785,7 aated April 29, 1902. Application filed June 29, 1901. Serial No. 66,560. (No modeld To all whom/ t nutzt/(concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ARNOLD BAE- l BER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fireproof Doors, dro., of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This inventionrelates to automatic or selfclosing reproof doors, shutters, dac.; and its object is to provide a fireproof door or similar device which shall be automatic in its action, instantaneous and certain in its operation, and whichcan be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

To these ends the invention consists of an automatic iireproof closing device constructed substantially as hereinafter illustrated and described, anddefined in the appended claims. Y

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts,

Figure l is a viewin front elevation showing the half of a iireproof door constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being in section to show the construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a portion of the door-frame, showing details of construction. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a portion of a window to which this invention has been applied. Fig. 5 is a vertical section thereof. Y Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a modified form of this invention. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the mechanism for sustaining the shutters in their elevated or normal position, showing in dotted lines the Inode-of operation. Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are Viewsin perspective of details of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, VA represents an ordinary wall or partition of a building through which is formed a doorway of any ordinary or preferred construction. 'Above the said doorway is provided a space a, within which the sections b of the door B are housed and concealed from view while in their normal position. Fitted withinfthe-sides of the jambs a. of the doorway and extending upwardly to the top of the space ct is a metal frame or box D, which'is provided-upon its outer face with a seriesof vertical grooves or v'guideways d, arranged parallel to one another and constructed preferably in two sets, one .of said sets of grooves being-located on the front side of the frame D and the other set on the rear side thereof, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Back of the grooved face of the frame D is a space which is divided by vertical partitions d into a series of channels d2, which are adapted to receive the weights d3, by which the sections b of the door B are counterbalanced. These channels being separated from one another throughout their-entire length serve as independent guides for the -said weights and prevent them from becoming entangled with each other. The ropes d4, at'- .tached to said weights, pass over suitable grooved pulleys d5, journaled in the upper portion of the frame'D, and are connected at their other ends to their respective sections b, as will be readily understood. t

In the construction shown in'Figs. l, 2, and 8 it will be noted by referring particularly to Fig. 2 that there are two sets of door-sections ZJ andthat the upper section of each set occupies the outer groove of the two corresponding sets of grooves d, the remaining sections b occupying the succeeding inner grooves. By means of this arrangement when the door- 'sections b havefallen or'L are in their lowered position there Will be inreality two separate doors inclosing an air-space between them, which air-space is practically hermetically sealed by reason of the tight tting of the door-sections. This air-space aids materially in rendering the construction iireproof and renders it practically impossible for a dangerous degree of heat to penetrate from one side of the door tothe other, a common defect in ordinary reproof structures.

The upper and preferably the lower edge of each door-section b is provided with a plate E,which ismovably secured thereon by means of the'set-screws c, which pass through the elongated slots e', whereby the said plates are adapted to be adjusted with respect to said door-section. The inner end of the plate E is provided with a lug or projection e2, which is adapted to engage and slide in one of the grooves d of the frame D, so as to guide the door-section b in its movement. By reason IOO Adoor-section.

of the ad justability of the plate E a close perfect t can always be maintained between the door-sections b and the grooves cl of the frame D, thus compensating for shrinkage, insuring easy and smooth movement of the said sections, and absolutely obviating all tendency to stick and bind. .The lug'or projection e2 is preferably formed hollow, and

`one or more friction-balls are arranged therein, whereby any tendency to stick or bind will be obviated.

The upper edge of the section b is provided with a shallow groove bx, within which is placed the end of the weight-ropes d, which are preferably of wire, which ropes pass through a hole e3, formed in the said plate E. When the plate E is fastened in piace by means of the screw-bolts e, the rope d* is securely clamped in position. By means of this construction when it is desired to attach the rope to the section orto adjust the length of the rope it is only necessary to loosen the plate E, as will be readily understood.

The `weights altare preferably constructed of a number of independent sections varying in size and weight, the bottom ones being the smaller, so as to permit of an accurate counterbalance. Each of the sections d3 is provided with two perforations, through which pass the rods d6, having a head on the upper end and screw-threads upon the lower end,

upon which is adapted to be threaded the adjusting-nut (Z7. A plate d8 is arranged upon the upper weight d3 and is provided with perforations at each end, through which pass the rods d6. A central perforation is also provided -in said plate for the passage of the rope d4, and a groove is formed in the upper-'face of the upper weight-section, within which the end of the rope d4 is clamped, as for the purpose above explained in connection with the When the weight connected with any door-section requires to be varied, it is only necessary to remove the lower weightsection and replace it with a lighter one or one or more heavier ones, as required.

The lower edge of each inner door-section is provided with a piateb, which is constructed with an extension which projects beneath the lower edge of the adjacent door-section, (see Fig. 2,) while the innermost door-section isalso provided with a bolt b2, which is adapted to rest upon the fuse F, inserted in the keeper f, secured upon the head-beam f. It will thus be seen that each door-section is supported by the adjacent section and the last door-section is supported -by the bolt and fuse. VIt is therefore obvious that when the fuse melts or is removed the door-sections will at once descend.

. At suitable points in the pathway of each of the outer sections is fixed a suitable stop b3, which limits the downward movement of the sections, the last section, however, coming to rest upon the door-sill. By reason of the accurate counterbalancing of the doorsections their descent, while instantaneous,

will be so gentle as to preclude the'pcssibility of injury to any one caught thereunder.

In the modiiications shown in Figs. 4,5, 6, and 7 the invention is shown as particularly adapted to shutters for closing a window, though it is obvious that either or any of the forms shown can be utilized to close any opening. In Figs. 4 and the invention is shown in the form adapted to be applied to the windows of a building already built. In this form a metal frame A is provided with the guideways, &;c., above described and is securely fastened by bolts or otherwise about the window, forming an auxiliary windowframe, which may be of any desired style and ornamented to suit individual taste. u In Fig. 6 the form shown is that designed to be applied to a building in the course'of erection. In this form the space containing the guideways, dac., is formed in the wall of the building, as in the form shown inFigs. l and 2, and hence requires no` separate frame, as in Fig. 5, and is not visible when the building is completed. In all thesezforms the air-space is provided for by the window-sash,as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 A,

Instead of having.,r a rigid bolt, Figs. land 2, in many instances, especially infconnection with windows, itis preferable tol use a hinged lever b4. (Best shown in Figss? 'and 1l...) This hinged lever is constructed, preferably, of a plate b5, having perforations, by means of which it may be screwed Vtoithe frame A or any suitable part of the window-frame. To the plate b5 is hingedly `connected the llever b4 in such a manner as to be incapable of upward movement beyond .the horizontal plane, but which swings 'freelydownwardly To a suitable; portion of the window-frameisv secured a bracket F', which preferably consists of two spaced'angle-irons f, having their outer ends upturned. The fuse VF is placed upon the arms of the bracket, and the lever b4 rests thereon between the upturned ends of the said arms, as clearly shown in Fig. Il.

It is not essential nor desirable to describe particularly the construction or composition of the fuse F, as-this invention will be-protected in a separate patent', for which application will be made hereafter. It is suicient, however, for the purposes 'of this speciiication to state that the fuse must be capable of melting at a comparatively low temperature and should also be capable of iiashing instantly upon contact with ame. The dimensions and form of the fuse will be -such las the necessities of the particular construc- IOO IIO

herein disclosed being intended merely as a simple and convenient embodiment of the principles of the invention for the purposes of description, and they may be varied to suit the requirements of any special case.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic reproof door, dac., the combination with a frame -having two independent sets of guide-grooves, of a plurality of door-sections slidably mounted in each of said sets of guide-grooves, a plate mounted upon the lower edge of each of the inner door-sections, ,each of said plates overlapping the lower edge of theadjacent outer doorsection, a locking-bolt secured to each of the innermost door-sections and projecting inwardly therefrom, a bracket mounted upon a suitable portion of the framework and adapted to receive each of the said locking-bolts, and a fuse mounted `in said bracket and adapted to retain the locking-bolts in their normal position, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an automatic ireproof closing device, the combination with a frame, shutter-sections slidably mounted in said frame, a fusible plug, and a hinged `lever having its end supported by said fusibleplug and adapted to retain the said shutter-sections in their raised position, whereby the fusing of the said plug will release said shutter-sections, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an automatic ireproof closing device the combination with a window frame and sashes, of an auxiliary frame applied to said window frame, shutter sections slidably mounted in said auxiliary' frame, a fusible plug, and a hinged lever having its end supported by said fusible plug and adapted to retain the said shutter-sections in their raised position, whereby the fusing of the said plug will release said shutter-sections and form a dead-air chamber between said shutter-sections and said window-sashes, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an automatic ireproof closing device, the combination with a frame provided with suitable guide-grooves, shutter-sections slidably mounted in said frame, a plate adjustably mounted upon each of said shutter-sections, and a projecting lug integral with said plate and adapted to engage and slide in said guide-grooves, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an automatic Iireproof closing device, the combinationwith a frame provided with suitable guide-grooves, shutter-sections slidi ably mounted insaid frame, a plate adjustably mounted upon each of said sections, a projecting hollow lug integral with said plate and adapted to engage and slide in said guidegrooves, and friction-rollers mounted in said lug, substantially as shown and described.

6. In an automatic iireproof closing device, the combination with a frame, of a shutter; section slidablymounted in said frame, hav; ing a groove in its upper edge, a perforated plate removably clamped upon the upper edge of said shutter-section and over said groove, a wire rope having its lower end `passed through .the perforation in said lplate land clamped within said groove, substantially as i shown and described.`

f In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name,inpres ence of the subscribing witnesses, this -22 'day of June, 1901.

CHARLES A. BARBER.

Witnessesi ,l

WILLIAM B. ROBERTS, YvoNNE CAsToNGUAY. 

